THE DEAF AND DUMB ALPHABET.
Amongst the many useful inventions which have been planned for the solace of individuals deprived of some portion of their senses, the art by which deaf and dumb persons are taught to express their own thoughts, and to comprehend those of others, is one of the most noble. The earliest attempt at a method of teaching the deaf and dumb was made in Spain, towards the end of the sixteenth century, by a Benedictine monk named Peter Pounce; and without doubt he must have formed his idea from observing the natural propensity of the dumb to supply the want of the organs of speech by making signs. After the essay of Peter Pounce many successful trials were made, and in 1692 John Conrad Amman, a Swiss physician, reduced the plans to a fixed method, or art, and published the scheme of it at Amstelod. The first asylum for the deaf and dumb in London was founded in the year 1792.
THE ALPHABET.
| A | B | C |
A is expressed by touching the top of the thumb of the left hand with the forefinger of the right.
B. Join the forefinger and thumb of each hand, and place the backs of the forefinger nails together.
C. Bend the fingers and thumb of the left hand, so as to form three parts of a circle.
| D | E | F | G |
D. Bend the fingers and thumb of the right hand into a semicircle, and then join them to the forefinger of the left, which keep in a straight line.
E. Touch the top of the forefinger of the left hand with the forefinger of the right.
F. Place the forefinger of the right hand across the backs of the first and second fingers of the left.
G. Clench both hands, and put one fist upon the other.
| H | I | J |
H. Pass the palm of the right hand across that of the left, sweeping it along to the tips of the fingers, as if brushing something off.
I. Touch the top of the second finger of the left hand with the forefinger of the right.
J. Clench the hands together, as directed for the letter G.
| K | L | M |
K. Form a semicircle with the thumb and forefinger of the right hand, and join it to the forefinger of the left, which must be kept straight out; both forefingers must meet at the second joints.
L. Place the forefinger of the right hand across the centre of the palm of the left, so that the top of the finger may be exactly in the middle of the palm.
M. Place three fingers of the right hand flat upon the palm of the left.
N. Place two fingers of the right hand flat upon the palm of the left.
O. Touch the top of the third finger of the left hand with the forefinger of the right.
| N | O | P | Q |
P. Place the tips of the forefinger and thumb of the left hand in a semicircular form against the first and second joints of the forefinger of the right, which should be kept straight.
Q. Form a circle with the forefinger and thumb of the left hand, and then curve the forefinger of the right into the shape of a hook, and place it exactly where the other fingers join.
| R | S | T |
R. Bend the forefinger of the right hand and rest it on the palm of the left.
S. Bend the little finger of each hand and lock them together.
T. Fix the tip of the forefinger of the right hand against the middle of the lower edge of the left.
| U | V | W |
| X | Y | Z |
U. Touch the top of the little finger of the left hand with the forefinger of the right.
V. Place the first and second fingers of the right hand, apart, upon the palm of the left.
W. Lock the fingers of one hand between those of the other.
X. Cross the forefingers at the second joints.
Y. Extend the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, and at the lower part of the fork so made place the forefinger of the right hand.
Z. Elevate one hand towards the face, and rest the elbow upon the palm of the other.
The end of every sentence is indicated by snapping the second finger and thumb of the right hand. This result is requisite to avoid the confusion which might result from running the sentences into each other.
THE NUMBERS
Are denoted by holding up one finger to signify 1, two fingers for 2, the open hand for 5, both hands for 10, and so on.